Northeast Wisconsin has no shortage of prime smallmouth water. Some lakes will supply action with 12 to 16- inch smallmouth while others produce less numbers, but your odds are high to land a trophy. There are a few places where you can encounter both numbers and trophy fish. Here are a few places that should be in prime shape this upcoming season.

If you are looking for action with large smallmouth it is hard to beat High Falls Flowage in central Marinette County. This is no place to fish if you are looking for fast action but if you are looking for a 20 incher there is no better place to fish. This past season we boated several fish over 21 inches. Often big pre-spawn smallmouth are active by opening day so fisherman can take advantage of this early catch and release season. This action remains consistent through mid-June.

Look for rocky shorelines that taper down to 6 foot of water to attract the most smallmouth. The big fish are scattered so you will need to be mobile. However, it is important not to fish too quickly. Smallmouth will hold tight in the rocks on this stained water flowage. Use either a floating Rapala or an IKE-CON pre-rigged plastic worm. If the smallmouth are aggressive they will hit the Rapala as soon as it hits the water. Next toss the pre-rigged worm tight to the rocks and let it sit for five seconds before slowly retrieving the worm back to the boat. The best worm color is purple with a little chartreuse.

If the smallmouth are hitting light or you are fishing after a cold front, nothing will beat a live leech on a number four Aberdeen hook. Cast the leech tight to the rocks and sit still. The movement of the leech will trigger a strike from even the most lethargic smallmouth. Often it is a leech that catches the big smallmouth of the day.

On occasion a severe cold front will move smallmouth off the shorelines and down to the first breakline. If the water temperature drops down below 55 degrees use a 1/16-ounce jig and a fathead minnow. If the temperature is above 55 degrees use a jig and leech. Work the jig as slow as possible. A quality rod is essential when fishing these adverse conditions. I prefer a Lamiglas IMS 661. The six foot six inch rod is ideal for fishing light jigs, and it allows you to detect even the slightest strike.

After spawning some smallmouth remain in the rocks but most look for fresh weeds. Weeds, which are close to the spawning areas, are most productive. Twitch Rapalas early and late in the day but switch to leeches during the day. When looking for a trophy use the largest leeches you can find.

By July the smallmouth action in the Menominee River starts to heat up. Smallmouth bass are the dominant fish in the river and can be found almost anywhere. Besides, catching numbers big fish are common. Last year I managed to boat at least one smallmouth over 18 inches each day I fished the river.

There are a series of flowages on the river from Iron Mountain, Michigan down to Marinette, Wisconsin. Besides catching plenty of fish you can also enjoy the wilderness surroundings with most of the land being owned by either Wisconsin Electric or Wisconsin Public Service. These flowages attract schools of feeding smallmouth. Look for weededges off the main current and rock ledges to be most productive. The weed related smallmouth are feeding on minnows while the rock-related smallmouth are feeding on crayfish. Fish the weeds with spinnerbaits and topwater baits early and late in the day. During the day switch to the rocks and use a jig and nightcrawler or jig and grub.

While the flowages contain good smallmouth populations, it is the free flowing river stretches that are the real gem.  You can either cast the shorelines with surface baits and spinnerbaits or work the main river channel with live bait. The best smallmouth action occurs during mid-day. This is due both to the lack of boat traffic and stained water. It is common to catch a 20-inch smallmouth at High Noon when most other anglers have left the river. Use caution when fishing these areas since rocks and dead heads from the old logging days are a problem. However if you use common sense and don’t motor to fast you should avoid a catastrophe.

By late September, smallmouth are most active in the flowages. Look for weed beds, which are just off the main current flow. The closer you go to the dam the slower the current will be. Fish the weeds with both spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Spinnerbaits are best for aggressive fish, and can be effectively worked tight to the weeds. Use a chartreuse spinnerbait and a single Colorado Blade. Next, cast a crankbait along the deeper edge of the weedline.  When using crankbaits use chartreuse or perch pattern baits. After a cold front use a jig and minnow.

These are just a few places in northeast Wisconsin to try this season. Besides the better-known waters there are many smaller natural lakes and flowages that have quality smallmouth bass populations. If you are looking to catch a giant smallmouth give me a call at 715-854-2055.  For more information on books and maps on the area write Mike Mladenik, N6550 S 6^th St, Crivitz, WI 54114 or visit my web site at www.bronzeback.com

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